1963 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Roadster
Chassis number: 121.042.10024209
Engine number: 121.928.10002119

The Mercedes-Benz 190SL debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show alongside the 300 SL Gullwing Coupe. It was conceived by Max Hoffman, the US Mercedes-Benz importer, as a more affordable, similarly styled open companion model for its complex and costly 300SL. The 190 SL was given an advanced monocoque construction and conventional front-opening doors and normal-width sills offering ease of entry and exit. The 'SL' represented 'Sport Leicht' or 'Sports Light' which it shared with its older sibling. The name was derived from its lightweight construction which included the aluminum hood, doors, and rear deck lid.

The Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was produced from 1955 to 1963. It was a groundbreaking model for Mercedes-Benz, and its successful concept and execution evolved into the 'Pagoda' SL roadster lineup that followed from 1963 through 1971.

This example is finished in its factory-original white DB 50 exterior with a red leather upholstery, matching carpeting, a dark red soft top, and bright trim. It has been given a comprehensive restoration.

The car is fitted with a Becker radio, a rare hardtop in white, a set of steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, a stainless steel exhaust system, and whitewall tires. There are correct Solex PHH carburetors, a 4-speed manual gearbox, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Max Hoffman was responsible for the sporty two-seat Mercedes-Benz 190SL sports car. The S represented 'Sports' while the L meant Light or 'Sehr Leicht'. With a curb weight of 2560 pounds, it was hardly 'light' when compared with other vehicles in its class, some 500 through 1000 pounds less. It was however an excellent alternative to the higher-priced Mercedes-Benz 300SL. The gullwing-door 300SL was available only as a coupe while the 190 SL could be purchased as a Roadster with a soft-top convertible or with a removable hardtop roof.

In 1954, Mercedes introduced its two-door 190SL at the New York Auto Show. Fifteen months later the production version was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Auto Show. Gone was the air-scoop that had been on the hood, along with other aesthetic aspects.

The 300SL was initially priced at $7,460 while the 190SL was $3998. As a result, the 190SL outsold the 300SL by nearly eight to one. In its best year, 4,032 190SL's were produced. In its worst year, only 104 examples were produced.

Under the hood was an 1897 cc four-cylinder OHC engine that was capable of producing around 105 horsepower. It took 14.5 seconds to go from zero to sixty and had a top speed of nearly 110 mph. Drum brakes were placed on all four corners of the 14 foot, one-inch vehicle. Servo brakes were optional until 1956 at which point they became standard.

The engine capacity was taken into account when naming the vehicle. By moving the decimal place once to the left, it created 189.7. The number was then rounded up to 190. So the 190 represents the approximate engine capacity in liters, meaning about 1.9 liters.

The 190SL production run lasted from 1955 through 1963. Most of the body-styles were open roadsters the rest were coupes. In comparison to many other nameplates, this is a very low number, guarantying its exclusivity and rarity by today's standards. It was a beautiful sibling to the prestigious and awe-inspiring gullwing door 300SL.

by Dan Vaughan